Caterpillars
– The Other Side (Independent)
Dallas band, Caterpillars are creating a considerable
buzz with their new “The Other Side” LP. Indeed, various publications have commended
it, including the much respected AbsolutePunk site, which described the record
as “one of the most exciting albums of 2013”. That’s high praise indeed, though
it only takes a few spins of “The Other Side” to understand the sentiments. Their
take on contemporary alternative rock is emotionally mature with heavy emphasis
placed on melodic progression. The result is exhilarating and rewarding, and
singer-songwriter Christopher Robinson fully understands the balance between
passion and control.
He’s ably supported by the other members of the band,
Drew Black, Carson Brooks and Ben Love, and between them they move between
intense, angular riffs and dreamy, contemplative passages. It’s always
involving and accessible, and songs like opener “Winter
Haiku” and “Light in This Room”
delicately bridge the different aspects of their music, while building to
euphoric conclusions. The tumultuous “Rebirth”
stumbles gloriously, repeatedly pulling itself together for further assaults on
various summits, and the title track displays a gentleness that tugs at the
heartstrings. The quartet brings the album to a close with “The Foundation”, a fiery, desperate paean to dashed
hopes, and quite possibly the best song to be found on the collection.
Phil S.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.